Many wine lovers have no idea what an enormous impact oak barrels make on their favorite brands and styles. Distinctions between the influence of American, French, and Hungarian, neutral and new oak are just the beginning. Coopers and winemakers can choose wood from a specific forest, or even a specific section of a forest for their barrels, if they want to go as granular as that, but most don’t have the time or resources.

Kevin Sass, the winemaker for Halter Ranch in Paso Robles, is passionate about cooperage, and wants to share an opportunity for wine lovers to taste the same wine as its aged in several different barrels. He’ll be leading a session at the upcoming WiVi Symposium and Trade Show, sponsored by Wine Business Monthly, on March 19 at the Paso Robles Event Center. Read on to discover more about this unique tasting, and to purchase tickets at early bird discount pricing if you purchase tickets by March 1.

Kevin Sass

Every winemaker would love the opportunity to taste their wine aged in 16 types of oak but few have the time or the resources to conduct such an experiment. At WiVi Central Coast 2014, winemakers can experience the next best thing by attending the Halter Ranch Barrel Cooper Comparison & Tasting session with Halter Ranch winemaker, Kevin Sass, taking place on March 19 at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Sass built an experiment designed to look at the same wine from three different perspectives for three different wines in the Halter Ranch program. Like most winemakers, Sass said he doesn’t have the time to get involved in the intricate details of what coopers are doing, like researching what types of barrels are coming from different forests—he relies on his cooper’s sales reps for that information. He makes his winemaking decisions based on how the barrel impacts the taste of the wine and this unique experiment allows him to taste the difference.

During the session, you’ll find out the steps Sass took to build an effective experiment and learn about his philosophic approach. You’ll then have the unique opportunity to taste seven wines comparing cooperages with the same 2012 Halter Ranch estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sass said that even though every winemaker has their own style, they’ll learn something from the tasting. There is no additional charge for this tasting but there is limited seating available so be sure to register early and secure your spot.

“Every winemaker is different and how they make their wines are different but there’s no question: they’ll definitely take something from it,” Sass said. “They can taste what they do and don’t like and get an idea of what each barrel is giving to the wine.”

As a follow up to this session, Wine Business Monthly will be publishing an article about the details of Sass’ barrel trials in the May issue.

Kevin Sass joined Halter Ranch in 2011 after 11 years with Justin Winery, where he quickly moved from intern to winemaker. During this time he worked closely with many neighboring vineyards including Halter Ranch. Sass is a Southern California native. He grew up in Agoura Hills and graduated from California State University, Fresno with a double major in enology wine production and agricultural business.

“I am excited to be involved in the continuation of this amazing long-term project at Halter Ranch. My previous experience with the Halter Ranch estate fruit, combined with a new, state of the art facility, will allow me to showcase what this ranch has to offer” said Sass.

Other tastings at WiVi include the regional tasting, which is included with the trade show ticket, and the Comparative Tasting of Grenache, which requires a special ticket.

Early bird pricing ends March 1, so get your tickets today. Register here.

Founded in 2007, Parker Sanpei Public Relations is a nimble and savvy team of public relations and marketing professionals whose knowledge of and appreciation for the culinary, wine, travel and lifestyle industries is second-to-none.

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